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There are reports that some vessels due to transit the Suez are diverting round the Cape of Good Hope influenced by the (unofficial) closing of the Straits of Hormuz due to the US-Iran conflict. It is important not to assume that there is an automatic right to do this or indeed to cancel the charterparty altogether. As always, much depends on the wordings of the War […]

The Admiralty Court’s recent decision in The Happy Aras [2026] EWHC 7 (Admlty) is a clear reminder to shipowners and operators that a competent crew is an integral component of a vessel’s seaworthiness. Lack of skill, training or instruction may lead to casualties, with liability falling on the shipowner. Background The “Happy Aras” (the Vessel) grounded while she was transiting the Datca Peninsula, off the Turkish […]

Remember the Evergiven choking the Suez Canal? Cargo owners worldwide suddenly discovered what “general average” really meant when they received unexpected nine-figure bills. The Strait of Hormuz tensions? Shippers learned the hard way how “matters affecting performance” Bill of Lading clause can strand their goods indefinitely with zero carrier liability.These aren’t theoretical risks buried in legal fine print. A standard bill of lading clause can silently transfer […]